Whether it is the body temperature, room temperature or the average temperature of the day, we take important decisions based on the various temperatures we measure and record. Although the mercury-based thermometer is still the most commonly used instrument, industrial temperature measurement has largely shifted to electronic sensors, data logging and digital displays. Accuracy in measurement is highly desirable and sensor manufacturers are constantly improving on their products offering better quality.
Sensirion is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of temperature and humidity sensors. Their new digital temperature sensor STS3x offers high accuracy. The tiny eight-pin DFN package of the STS3x is 0.9 mm high and measures only 2.5 x 2.5 mm across. Sensirion has based the STS3x on the same chip as their existing SHT3x humidity sensor. Because of its tiny size and wide range of supply voltage – 2.4 to 5.5 V – users can integrate the STS3x in a large variety of applications. The sensor is specifically suitable for battery-operated devices, as it consumes very low power – typically 6.6µW at 3.3V and one measurement per second. Nevertheless, it delivers outstanding performance, as it is remarkably accurate at +/-0.3°C, over an extensive temperature range spanning -40°C to +90°C.
Sensirion has based their temperature sensor STS3x on the industry-proven CMOSense technology. Compared to its predecessors, the STS3x has more intelligence, improved accuracy, and greater reliability. Added to this is the very fast start-up and response times of the STS3x, as well as enhanced functionality of high-speed signal processing and communication speeds of up to 1 MHz via two distinctive and user selectable I2C addresses.
Users of STS3x get a temperature sensor that comes pre-calibrated and offers a linearized, digital output, which is compensated for supply voltage instabilities. Sensirion has qualified the STS3x based on JESD 47, according to a dedicated automotive qualification plan certified by AEC Q100. Users have the choice of using the sensor as a watchdog, as it offers an alert option with definable set temperature points – strongly optimizing the overall power consumption. However demanding your data logger may be, and however complicated the temperature compensation of your application, the STS3x is an ideal solution.
Based on its high accuracy, the main target applications of the STS3x are the temperature calibrations in automotive components and body temperature measurement in wearable devices. Other applications that also benefit include a multitude of HVAC devices. This is because of the sensor’s highly accurate temperature data, resulting in precision, power savings, and reliability.
The automotive market benefits from the STS3x sensor solution because of its outstanding quality and low prices – automotive manufacturers can meet stringent emission standards of their industry. The STS3x offers new benchmarks in comfort, safety, and energy consumption. For instance, when combined with humidity sensors, the cabin air inside the vehicle can remain optimally regulated, using climate-controlled seats or air-conditioning. Moreover, by determining the dew point, the air-conditioning of the vehicle may be controlled to eliminate fogging of the windshields, thus ensuring a clear view of the road ahead.
Overall, the STS3x temperature sensors fulfill many stringent requirements of several applications considering cost-effectiveness, performance, and quality.
